Sealants are dental materials that are coated onto teeth to prevent the development of carious lesions (cavities). 

Sealants can be made from many kinds of materials such as glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, polyacid-modified ionomer, and composite resin. These materials are cured onto the tooth to form a protective layer over the teeth (American Dental Association).

Cavities often develop on the deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth due to an accumulation of plaque and food buildup. Pit and Fissure sealants are placed on these high-risk areas to create a physical protective barrier that prevents cavities from forming. 

Sealants are most commonly applied on the primary and permanent molars of children and adolescents. Sealants have been proven to be the most effective when they are applied soon after the eruption of the first and second permanent molars at 6 and 12 years of age, respectively (CDC). According to the CDC, “Children aged 6 to 11 years without sealants are almost three times more likely to have cavities in their molars compared to children with sealants.” 

In addition to preventing cavities from forming, sealants can also be used to treat existing carious lesions to stop them from further decay (2021). 

Cleveland Clinic affirms that although children and adolescents benefit greatly from sealants, adults who are at high risk for cavities are also great candidates for pit and fissure sealants (2023).  

Sealants should be checked by a dentist regularly since the materials used wear down over time affecting the retention, the adherence of the sealant to the tooth surface. Damaged sealants need to be replaced because they will no longer be effective in protecting the tooth surface. Sealants that have lost retention can also trap food and bacteria and cause tooth decay (Simpson). According to the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center, the CDC recommends that sealants should be checked for retention 9-15 months after they are applied. Sealants should also be checked for retention at routine dentist visits semi-annually (Simpson). 

Certain food items should be avoided to retain the integrity of the sealant. These include:

• Hard and crunchy foods such as hard candies and ice 

• Sticky foods such as gummy candy, gum, and caramel (2022)